Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Constipation following cardiac surgery is a frequently experienced complication in postoperative management. This study aimed to explore the incidence and risk factors for constipation after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 370 adult cardiac surgeries performed at our institution between January 2019 and December 2020. Postoperative constipation was defined as the absence of defecation for >144 hours after surgery. Participants were classified into a postoperative constipation or nonconstipation group. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to estimate the patient-specific perioperative factors associated with postoperative constipation. RESULTS: A total of 72 (19.5%) patients developed postoperative constipation. Patients in the postoperative constipation group had higher rates of prolonged intubation (P < .001), higher 30-day mortality (P < .001), and longer intensive care unit stay (P < .001) than those in the nonconstipation group. Gastrointestinal complications were more common in the postoperative constipation group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = .087). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that peripheral artery disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.18; 95% CI, 1.23-8.24; P = .017), prior percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.12-4.89; P = .024), prolonged intubation (OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.35-7.29; P = .008), delayed nutrition (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.13-10.26; P = .030), and vasopressin use (OR, 5.79; 95% CI, 1.38-14.52; P = .012) were independently predictive of postoperative constipation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 5 predictive risk factors for postoperative constipation were identified. Understanding these predictive factors will aid in direct risk assessments and the development of targeted treatments to prevent postoperative constipation.